Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes a slew of summer-related emergencies. From natural disasters to drownings to close encounters with stinging insects, the warm months usher in a plethora of deadly events that you, the emergency responder, must be prepared for.

Respiratory emergencies among the elderly are a common occurrence. As an emergency responder, especially if you work in warmer climes—such as Florida and Arizona—where many people go to retire, you will frequently be called upon to administer life-saving treatments for those in respiratory distress.

We all know what an important role the 911 system plays in communities throughout the United States, but the role of EMS goes well beyond responding to fire and medical emergencies. Today, departments are realizing the impact they can have throughout their cities by getting involved in public outreach and education.

Last August, on a calm Sunday at the southern coast of England, people strolling along the shore were suddenly engulfed in a strange chemical cloud. More than 130 people were treated at an area hospital for complaints ranging from sore throats, to streaming eyes, to difficulty breathing.¹ The source and the identity of the cloud have yet to be determined, but the event is a reminder that hazardous materials can cause a range of medical issues—one of the most serious being respiratory emergencies.

With the number of mass shootings across America increasing each year, there is a growing focus on integrated response, placing paramedics and EMTs side-by-side with law enforcement when called to scenes of violence. As tactical medical response evolves to meet these growing needs, so does our medical equipment. But the restrictions that go along with tactical scenarios—namely, take only what you can carry—mean that each piece of equipment must be fundamental to the mission. There is no room for excess. Let's explore five things to include in your tactical trauma kit.

Airway obstruction can be one of the most intensive calls that requires a response from you, the rescuer. Few emergencies require such decisive, immediate action as an obstructed airway. You must recognize the signs, decide on an appropriate course of action, and treat effectively so the obstruction can be relieved and airway patency restored.

EMTs may not be able to perform the full range of advanced airway options that paramedics typically employ, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t responsible for recognizing a tenuous airway, performing a thorough assessment, and choosing the appropriate treatment strategy. All emergency responders must be capable of airway interventions, so today we’ll discuss the ins and outs of respiration and five things EMTs should always remember when dealing with respiratory emergencies.

February ushered in another mass shooting at another school, this time with 17 people killed. Much has been debated about the response of law enforcement—their lack of a timely entry, their failure to engage the shooter. As emergency responders, we should reserve judgment on our partners in law enforcement, and instead, focus on how we can all work together to reduce mortalities when these horrific incidents take place.

The call came in as a “child down.” No other information was available. As your unit races to the scene, you do a quick mental inventory of the equipment you may need: pedi bag, airway bag, spinal immobilization, trauma bag. As with any emergency, your pulse is racing, but when the call involves a child, there is always an added layer of stress. Is your equipment ready? Did you inventory the pedi bag this morning? Can you recall the drug dosages, in case the child is in a full arrest? A million questions flash through your mind.

Each shift can present a range of medical emergencies. Myocardial infarctions, strokes, traumatic injuries—you must be ready for anything. And any one of these patients can devolve into a critical suction scenario. The MI may lapse into cardiac arrest; the stroke may render swallowing ineffective; and the trauma patient may have facial injuries producing copious blood in the mouth. You must have suction at the ready, for every patient. Your priority is always a patent airway.

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